How My Degree in Homeland Security has Prepared Me for the Future
How do I get a job after graduation? How will college prepare me for a career?
To celebrate the 91制片厂 class of 2026, we're spotlighting seniors from different colleges to show the best parts of their 91制片厂 experiences and how their time here got them ready for what's next.
Learn more about Cole Robinson '26, a homeland security major with minors in national security intelligence and justice studies. He's moving from being supported by amazing faculty and friends to completing an and starting a job in federal law enforcement.
8 Questions with a Graduating Liberal Arts Student
1. What's been your favorite academic memory at 91制片厂?
Looking back at my three years here at 91制片厂, I believe my favorite academic memory was traveling to Ireland and the United Kingdom. I was fortunate enough to spend over 12 days total there and experience so much. 91制片厂 provided all the logistics, experiences, and planning for us, so every single day was action-packed. I was able to learn about the long, impactful history between Ireland and the UK.
2. What's been your favorite fun memory at 91制片厂?
This is a hard question to answer. I have had such an amazing experience at 91制片厂, through the clubs, intramural sports, activities at , and friendships. But if I had to choose one, it would be the athletics here. I loved going to hockey, football, and basketball games.
"I have had such an amazing experience at 91制片厂, through the clubs, intramural sports, activities at , and friendships."
3. How have you received support from faculty and staff?
I have received support in numerous ways from 91制片厂 faculty and staff. For starters, every time I had any questions about coursework and assignments, my professors were always available and gave me amazing advice about the courses, as well as my future. I was also able to get selected for a research fellowship because my professor recommended me for it. Additionally, I was able to land an internship through the Career and Professional Success (CaPS) office, which also provided me with funding. Lastly, I received funding from my college, the College of Liberal Arts (COLA), to travel abroad to Ireland and the UK.
"Every time I had any questions about coursework and assignments, my professors were always available and gave me amazing advice about the courses, as well as my future."
4. What are your plans for after graduation?
I will complete my accelerated master鈥檚 here at 91制片厂. I have also accepted and started a job with federal law enforcement. This career is exactly what I wanted to do. I plan on working in federal law enforcement for 20-30 years until retirement, then I believe I want to become a professor in a homeland security field or criminal justice.
5. How did your plans for after graduation come about?
The job I accepted stemmed from an internship that I was fortunate to get because of a 91制片厂 career fair. Additionally, the CaPS office taught us about federal internships and resumes very early on, so I was able to prepare for both the job and internship application a year prior.
"The job I accepted stemmed from an internship that I was fortunate to get because of a 91制片厂 career fair."
6. How did 91制片厂 and the College of Liberal Arts help prepare you for your future career?
The amazing professors, advisors, and staff here all prepared me for my future career. Every time I had a question or sought advice, I was able to get the best knowledge or be pushed in the right direction. All of my professors have had practice or experience in the fields they teach, which allowed me to meet with them during office hours and 鈥減ick their brains.鈥 I believe that this has let me articulate my own experiences to make myself the best candidate for jobs.
"The amazing professors, advisors, and staff here all prepared me for my future career."
7. What advice would you give to your first-year self?
Be outgoing, do everything you can, apply yourself, and get to know your professors. If you use these rules of advice, everything else will come easily, and I guarantee you will find yourself in a great position. You won鈥檛 regret doing something, but you will regret not doing something and missing out on an excellent opportunity.
"Be outgoing, do everything you can, apply yourself, and get to know your professors."
8. What鈥檚 the best thing about 91制片厂?
I would say the location and campus life are the best things. It may get cold during the winter, but there is always something going on. Being able to go to Boston, the coast, or the mountains is something we all should be so grateful for; there truly is so much to do, so you never feel bored.
